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2018 Subaru Forester: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The 2018 Subaru Forester is a light-update year, led by a new Black Edition package for the 2.5i Premium. It otherwise stays close to the 2017 model, with added standard safety and convenience equipment on upper trims.
About the 2018 Subaru Forester
4th gen (SJ, 2014-2018), final year before the all-new 5th generation arrived for 2019.
Subaru positions the Forester as a practical compact SUV built around confidence in bad weather, easy visibility, and everyday usefulness. Its appeal is not flashy styling but standard all-wheel drive, a tall seating position, generous cargo room, and light-trail capability in a family-friendly size. In a class where many rivals started with front-wheel drive, the Forester stood out by giving every trim AWD and a simple, versatile layout that worked well for commuting, road trips, and outdoor use.
The 2018 Forester ranges from a straightforward 2.5i with standard all-wheel drive to Touring trims focused on comfort and driver-assistance features. The 2.5i Premium has a panoramic moonroof, the Limited adds leather and a power rear gate, and the 250-hp 2.0XT models provide the stronger performance option. Touring models pair upscale cabin features with a standard EyeSight driver-assistance suite.
What changed, by category
Styling
A new Black Edition package joined the lineup on the 2.5i Premium.
Safety
EyeSight became standard on the 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring, bringing adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. EyeSight-equipped Foresters also gained High Beam Assist and Reverse Automatic Braking, while blind-spot sensors became standard on both Touring trims.
Tech
Navigation and the touchscreen system changed from optional to standard on the 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring.
Powertrain
Engines and transmissions carried over, but the 2.0XT Touring made Active Torque Vectoring, a handling aid for cornering, standard.
2018 Subaru Forester specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, CVT Lineartronic | Auto, CVT Lineartronic | Auto, CVT Lineartronic | Auto, CVT Lineartronic | Auto, CVT Lnrtrnc Manual | Auto, CVT Lnrtrnc Manual |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 28 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Horsepower | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 250 hp | 250 hp |
| Torque | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 74.7 cu-ft | 68.5 cu-ft | 68.5 cu-ft | 68.5 cu-ft | 68.5 cu-ft | 68.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38 in | 38 in | 38 in | 38 in | 38 in | 38 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors with Auto Brake | ||||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | ||||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2018 Subaru Forester?
The biggest change is the new Black Edition package based on the 2.5i Premium. Beyond that appearance-focused addition, most updates involve standard equipment on Limited and Touring trims.
Was the 2018 Subaru Forester redesigned?
No, the 2018 Forester was not redesigned. It is the final year of the fourth-generation model, with only light trim and equipment updates before the all-new 2019 Forester arrived.
Which 2018 Subaru Forester trims have EyeSight as standard equipment?
EyeSight is standard on the 2018 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring. For 2018, these trims also have High Beam Assist and Reverse Automatic Braking as standard equipment.
Did the 2018 Subaru Forester get new engines or transmissions?
No, the 2018 Forester's engines and transmissions carry over from 2017. The lineup retains the 170-hp 2.5-liter engine and the 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, while the 2.0XT Touring adds standard Active Torque Vectoring.
What equipment became standard on the 2018 Forester Touring trims?
Both 2018 Touring trims made EyeSight, navigation, and the touchscreen system standard. Their newly standard driver-assistance equipment includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning.
2018 Subaru Forester Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Subaru Forester.
4.3
2018 Subaru Forester
(910 reviews)
“I love my Subaru Forester. I feel I got the most bang for my buck. I like that it's AWD and that the seats come heated too. I love the big spacious windows that are easy to see out of as well as roomy enough to take my large dogs for car rides. I like the safety features Subaru offers and I feel like this is the best car I could buy for my family and I.”
“10 days after the warranty expired the radio died. It was a really disappointing experience.”